I've dined at 36 Michelin-starred restaurants this year, some of them a few times (7 3-stars, 13 2-stars, and 16 1-stars). It's very hard to say what my best meal was! I might actually give the honor to The Araki, the newly 3-starred sushi counter in London. Though I believe this is largely because it was my first omakase experience and so this was something new for me. Never before have I had sushi at that level. Come to think of it, some of the most fun I've had dining this year has been at counter-style restaurants; I also had amazing experiences at Atera and Blanca in NYC. While I was celebrating a friend's birthday at Atera, my meals at The Araki and Blanca were the most fun I've ever had dining alone.

I'd say my top ten this year were:

1. The Araki (omakase)
2. Azurmendi (classic tasting menu)
3. Atera
4. Blanca
5. Jean-Georges (signature tasting menu)
6. Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester
7. Restaurant Gordon Ramsay (classic tasting menu + white truffle/cep linguine)
8. Helene Darroze at the Connaught (set lunch, believe it or not)
9. The Modern (a la carte lunch)
10. Claude Bosi at Bibendum (a la carte lunch)

Biggest disappointments this year were Sixteen (2 stars) and Grace (3 stars) in Chicago.

I'll also throw in my best and most memorable wine pairings this year, the premium pairings offered by the following restaurants:

1. Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester
2. Sketch (Lecture Room & Library)
3. Atera